How to Apply to Carnegie Mellon’s Life Sciences and Medicine-Related Undergraduate Programs: Biological Sciences and Neuroscience in the Mellon College of Science, Applying to the College and Choosing a Major in the Spring of First Year, Pre-Health Advising, and Admission and Prerequisites for U.S., International (Including China) and Transfer Applicants

Carnegie Mellon University is in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Its Biological Sciences and Neuroscience degrees are offered mainly through the Mellon College of Science (MCS); Computational Biology is in the School of Computer Science, and Biomedical Engineering is an additional major in the College of Engineering (one sentence below). The U.S. has no pre-med undergraduate major, and Carnegie Mellon’s own Health Professions Program (HPP) says the university does not train students to be “pre-med” but offers many services to those who choose a health profession. This guide covers fall 2027 entry for U.S. applicants, international applicants and applicants from China, then transfer students.

1. Degrees in this area

• Department of Biological Sciences (MCS), per the admission pages and the catalog:
  • BS in Biological Sciences: a core in genetics, biochemistry, cell biology, computational biology and experimental methods. BS students may follow optional department tracks: Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences, Cell and Developmental Biology, Genetics and Molecular Biology, and Neuroscience. Tracks are not required or declared, at most two can be completed, they appear on the transcript but not the diploma, and the Biochemistry track is currently offered only on the Pittsburgh campus.
  • BA in Biological Sciences: for students who want to combine science with other disciplines on campus.
  • BS in Biological Sciences and Psychology: a unified biology and psychology degree.
  • BS in Neuroscience: offered jointly by the Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences and MCS, with three concentrations (Neurobiology, Cognitive Neuroscience, Computational Neuroscience). Students in either college may major in it; students in other colleges may take it as an additional major.
  • A Biological Sciences additional major, minors in Biological Sciences and Neuroscience, and the Bachelor of Science and Arts (B.S.A.) combining biological sciences or neurobiology with a College of Fine Arts discipline through the BXA programs.
• Computational Biology (School of Computer Science): a BS, an additional major and a minor. The site calls the program unique to CMU and says research opportunities are open to all interested students.
• Biomedical Engineering (College of Engineering): an additional major only, taken together with Chemical, Civil and Environmental, Electrical and Computer, Materials Science or Mechanical Engineering. Non-engineering students may take the “Biomedical Technology” additional major, declared when declaring the primary major or by the second semester of first year. It belongs to the engineering application and is not covered here.
• The BS in Chemistry with a Biological Chemistry track is listed under Chemistry on the admission pages.
• The program lists we read show no undergraduate nursing, public health, kinesiology or nutrition degree. Whether any program is STEM-designated, and whether there is a combined BS/MD, is not stated on the pages we read; ask admission.

2. How admission works: apply to a college, choose a major in spring of first year

• Applying: you apply to a college (MCS, School of Computer Science and so on); the Early Decision page says you can apply to only one college within the university, and the transfer page says transfer applicants are considered for only one college or program. The Writing Supplement asks what passion or inspiration led you to choose your area of study, so have a direction in mind, but the pages we read do not say you must name a specific major at application.
• Choosing a major: the catalog says MCS students select a major in the spring of the first year so that sophomore year begins in a department; most major courses fall in sophomore and junior years, leaving room later for research, interdisciplinary study, study abroad, additional majors or minors.
• Conditions for the Biological Sciences department: the pages we read give no GPA threshold or enrollment cap; not published, ask the department or admission.
• Internal transfer into Biological Sciences: the catalog says MCS does not accept undeclared internal transfers; you name the department when applying. To transfer into Biological Sciences you must have completed 03-121 Modern Biology or 03-220 Genetics and 09-105 Introduction to Modern Chemistry I, with a C or better; AP/IB/Cambridge scores alone are not enough, and at least one prerequisite must be taken at CMU.
• BS requirements (catalog; at least 360 units): the biology core includes Modern Biology (or the honors version), Honors Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Genetics, Introduction to Computational Biology, Experimental Techniques in Molecular Biology and one of Experimental Biochemistry, Experimental Cell and Developmental Biology or Experimental Neuroscience, two semesters of Topics in Research, and six biology electives (at least 18 units at the 300 level or above). Chemistry covers Introduction to Modern Chemistry I and II (an A in honors chemistry 09-107 exempts Modern Chemistry II), Organic Chemistry I and II, quantitative analysis and organic synthesis techniques. Math and physics cover Calculus 21-120 (prerequisite 21-090) and 21-122 and Physics I and II, plus one programming course. There are also 75 units of MCS nontechnical breadth and 45 units of free electives. The catalog notes that the Cell Biology and Genetics course numbers become 03-240 and 03-330 starting in fall 2027.
• BA requirements: a similar biology core with 86–89 biology units, 47 chemistry units (no organic synthesis techniques), 53 units of math, physics and programming, and 96–99 free-elective units; also at least 360 units.
• Research: the department has an Honors Program in Research Biology (an independent project and a written, defended thesis). The catalog also says more than 85 percent of biology majors over the past four years worked with faculty on research (it gives no specific years).

3. Pre-med: the Health Professions Program (HPP)

• HPP advises all CMU students and alumni in any major and encourages early planning. It says: “We do not train students to be ‘pre-med,’ but if they choose to use their talents in a health profession, we offer many services,” including regular advising, application workshops and networking. The catalog also says the Biological Sciences and Neuroscience degrees are excellent preparation for medical school or other health-profession graduate programs.
• Basic course requirements (catalog; for medicine or dental medicine, whatever the major): two biology courses plus a lab plus biochemistry; two chemistry courses plus a lab; two organic chemistry courses plus a lab; two physics courses plus a lab; two math courses including at least one statistics course; two English courses. Recommended extras include microbiology, developmental biology, anatomy, behavioral sciences, ethics, history and modern languages; for medical school it strongly encourages Introduction to Psychology or Social Psychology.
• Committee letter and statistics: the HPP home page says first-time medical (MD and/or DO) applicants from CMU numbered 27–40 per cycle since 2015; with a CMU committee letter, the acceptance rate for MD/DO was 62%–85%, for MD/PhD 75%–100%, and for dental medicine 100% (ranges; the page does not give year-by-year figures).
• Whether HPP has separate guidance for international students, or limits on international students applying to U.S. medical schools, is not stated on the pages we read; contact the HPP office (hpp-office@andrew.cmu.edu).
• A combined BS/MD program: not stated on the pages we read.

4. High-school preparation and college credit

• MCS high-school courses (includes Biological Sciences and Neuroscience): 4 years English; 4 years mathematics (at least algebra, geometry, trigonometry, analytic geometry and elementary functions/pre-calculus, preferably calculus); 1 year each of chemistry, physics and biology; 2 years foreign language; 3 electives. The site strongly encourages advanced math, especially calculus.
• School of Computer Science (Computational Biology): 4 years English; 4 years mathematics; 1 year physics; 2 years of chemistry, biology or computer science; 2 years foreign language; 3 electives.
• AP / IB / Cambridge: the site says CMU “may grant” placement and credit for AP scores of 4 and 5, IB Higher Level scores of 6 or 7 and strong Cambridge A-Level results; each college decides, and the appropriate dean evaluates scores sent to admission in early summer. The credit table for each exam is on a separate page we did not read. Students awarded calculus credit who feel uncomfortable can take a lower course in the sequence, with credit adjusted. GCE O-Level exams are not accepted for placement.
• Placement exams: students with Schoolhouse.world certifications can take placement exams in foundational STEM topics such as biology, chemistry, physics, calculus and computer science and may take more advanced courses if they pass; the portfolio is optional and does not replace transcripts or recommendations.

5. Plans, deadlines and materials

• Early Decision (binding): November 2; decision by December 15; enroll by February 1. You can apply to only one college; outcomes are admit, deny or defer to Regular Decision; a denied ED applicant cannot reapply under Regular Decision. Do not apply ED if you have a pending ED application elsewhere; admitted students must withdraw other applications (ED Agreement). For November tests the office will try to wait for scores; December testing is too late for ED.
• Regular Decision: January 4; decision no later than April 1; enroll by May 1.
• The site contradicts itself: the Admission FAQ says ED November 3 and RD January 5, while the plans page says November 2 and January 4. None of these dates prints a year; confirm they apply to fall 2027 and check the site.
• Platform and fee: Common App; $75 application fee, with fee waivers accepted for those meeting a Common App indicator of economic need.
• Materials: high-school courses and grades, standardized test scores, a counselor evaluation, a teacher recommendation (two letters for first-year applicants, one from a counselor and one from a teacher; a third is accepted but committees consider only two), the Common App essay and the Carnegie Mellon writing supplement (three short answers, the first about why you chose your area of study). Admitted students must prove they meet all diploma requirements by the end of May and send a final transcript by the end of July.
• No supplemental submissions: the site says it does not accept resumes, portfolios, recordings or websites; applicants cannot send updates after January 15, though counselors can.
• Testing (MCS): “test flexible” — scores are required, but you choose which: SAT, ACT, IB (predicted or actual), AP, Cambridge A-Level (predicted or actual) or French Baccalaureate (predicted or actual). Predicted IB, A-Level or French Baccalaureate results are replaced by actual results only if you are admitted and enroll. SAT can be superscored; ACT cannot because of the composite. SAT code 2074, ACT code 3534; self-reported scores are accepted, with official reports needed only after admission and enrollment. The site prefers testing be finished by November 1 for ED and January 3 for RD. The School of Computer Science (Computational Biology) requires an SAT or ACT. These describe the fall 2026 policy; check for any change for fall 2027.

6. U.S. applicants

• Tuition: Carnegie Mellon is private and its fee page lists one undergraduate tuition, with no in-state or out-of-state difference; any extra fee for biology or health programs is not stated on the pages we read. For first-years entering in fall 2026, the 2026-27 resident figures are: tuition $69,702 ($969 per unit), housing $11,700, food $7,950, first-year experience fee $748, technology fee $490, student activities fee $322 and transportation fee $302, for tuition, fees and living expenses of $91,214 ($75,540 for commuters). With books of $1,000, personal expenses of $1,300 and estimated loan fees of $100, the total cost of attendance is $93,614. Health insurance is $3,093 a year, waivable with other coverage. First-years must live on campus unless Student Affairs permits commuting.
• Aid: the site says it aims to meet 100% of demonstrated need for domestic students. Under the CMU Pathway Program, students from families earning under $75,000 attend tuition-free, and those from families under $100,000 receive aid without federal loans. The net price calculator is for U.S. citizens, eligible non-citizens and permanent residents.
• Research, lab and clinical opportunities: see section 2 for research; specifics on lab or clinical placements are not stated on the pages we read.
• Home-state preference or in-state/out-of-state admission differences: not stated on the pages we read.

7. International applicants

• Applying: the site says the procedure and timetable for international students are “essentially the same” as for U.S. candidates; you must meet the undergraduate requirements and the posted deadlines. International students were about 19% of the undergraduate body in 2024–2025.
• Aid: the site says Carnegie Mellon does not offer financial aid to international students; you and your family must plan to pay the total cost of attendance. Funding proof and visa documents are not described on the pages we read; check the Resources for International Students page or ask admission.
• English (required if your native language is not English; scores no more than two years old; take TOEFL or IELTS no later than December of senior year): IELTS Academic at least 7.5 overall (subscores of 7.5 and above are given consideration); TOEFL iBT or Home Edition, for exams before January 21, 2026 at least 102 overall (subscores 25+), and for exams on or after that date at least 5 overall (subscores 5+) (code 2074); TOEFL Essentials at least 11; Duolingo at least 135 (with 135 in each integrated subscore); Cambridge English at least 191. TOEFL MyBest is not used, and the highest overall TOEFL set counts. InitialView or Vericant interviews are recommended, not required. Exemptions are not stated on the pages we read; ask admission.
• Other: use the exact passport name on all documents; transcripts and other documents not in English need an official translation verified by a counselor or school official; if you are preparing for the IB or GCE A-Levels, send expected results.
• Limits for international students in restricted programs such as nursing or in clinical placements: Carnegie Mellon has no undergraduate nursing program, and clinical-placement limits are not stated on the pages we read.

8. Applicants from China

• Gaokao: none of the admission pages we read (international applicants, standardized testing, academic requirements) mention the Gaokao or give a China-specific note; not published. Ask admission (412-268-2082, or the “Contact us” page).
• Testing: MCS is test flexible, so choose among SAT, ACT, AP, IB (predicted or actual), Cambridge A-Level and French Baccalaureate; the site does not say a Chinese national exam can serve as the test.
• Transcripts and translation: transcripts need an official English translation verified by a school counselor or official; how Chinese academic proficiency (huikao) records should be submitted is not stated on the pages we read.
• Prerequisites: the high-school course list in section 4 applies to all applicants; how it maps to the Chinese curriculum is not stated on the pages we read, so ask admission.
• English: see section 7; required if English is not your native language.

9. Transfer

• Space and method: Carnegie Mellon admits only a small number of transfer students each year, as space permits, and considers a transfer applicant for just one college or program. You must have completed a semester of college before the application deadline.
• Dates: the transfer page gives a fall transfer deadline of February 15, supporting documents by March 10 and decisions by May 17; the plans page gives February 16, March 1 and May 17; the FAQ says February 15. The dates contradict each other and print no year; confirm they apply to fall 2027.
• Materials: a college transcript plus the high-school transcript, course descriptions for courses from each college attended (not a whole catalog), one recommendation from a professor or advisor, and the Common App College Report completed by your current registrar or dean; self-reported first-semester grades may be requested; no SAT or ACT is required; non-native speakers must submit an English test even if one was submitted before.
• Within MCS (catalog): an external transfer applies through admission; if admission finds the applicant acceptable, the record goes to the department, which decides based on space and performance in coursework related to the intended major. Credit is evaluated and sent with the decision; housing is not guaranteed.
• Biology transfer credit: the catalog says to ask the Director of Undergraduate Studies before taking the course, with a full syllabus, and to check that the other school is on a semester system. The course must be comparable in rigor and at least 80% matched in topics. No transfer credit is given for the required labs (03-124, 03-343, 03-344, 03-345, 03-346), and core courses numbered 03-2xx or higher must be taken at CMU except in unusual circumstances approved by the Director. For 03-121 Modern Biology the topics must match at least 80% with a textbook at a comparable level; introductory anatomy, physiology or ecology courses do not count toward 03-121.

Checklist

U.S. applicants:

• Apply to the Mellon College of Science; ED November 2, RD January 4 (no year printed, and the FAQ says November 3 and January 5, so confirm); $75 fee; choose from SAT, ACT, AP, IB and others for testing
• 4 years English and math, plus 1 year each of chemistry, physics and biology; pre-med runs through the HPP course list, not a major

International applicants (including China):

• IELTS 7.5, TOEFL 5 (new scale) or Duolingo 135 and similar; official translations for non-English documents; no aid for international students
• Gaokao use and any Chinese-curriculum guidance are not published; contact admission (412-268-2082)

Transfer students:

• Mid-February deadline (the pages disagree); finish a semester first; professor recommendation; no SAT or ACT; biology labs do not transfer

Sources: Carnegie Mellon University, Mellon College of Science programs; Biological Sciences (admission page); Computational Biology; Biomedical Engineering; Department of Biological Sciences (catalog); BS in Biological Sciences; BA in Biological Sciences; BS in Neuroscience; Mellon College of Science (catalog); Health Professions Program (catalog); Health Professions Program; Undergraduate admission requirements; Application plans and deadlines; Admission consideration; Standardized testing; Academic requirements and college-level work; International applicants; Transfer applicants; Admission FAQ; Costs and aid; 2026-27 undergraduate tuition. Information is for fall 2027 entry; dates on the admission pages are printed without a year, so confirm they apply to fall 2027. Costs are 2026-27 figures. Check Carnegie Mellon’s website for the latest.